Species Distribution and Antifungal Susceptibility of Clinical Isolates in Lebanon

We sought to provide first insights into the epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility patterns of the aspergilli in Lebanon. After species identification, antifungal susceptibility was investigated according to EUCAST recommendations. gene was sequenced in resistant isolates and its expression level was evaluated by Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Among the 73 isolates studied (mostly from ears), the predominant species was (54.8%). The overall drug resistance was highest for amphotericin B (38.4%), followed by itraconazole (31.5%), posaconazole (30.1%) and voriconazole (23.3%). In addition, gene mutations were not the major cause of azole resistance among these isolates. Our findings indicate the paramount need for an integral One Health strategy and a national reference center for invasive mycoses and antifungals.